The caring Captain

Zarir S. Kothavala, chairman of the NAB Lions Home for Aging Blind at Khandala, wrote to Captain Jimmy Sarbh on February 21, 2009 acknowledging the latter’s "outstanding support” and inviting him to be on its selective list as "Patron of the Home.” Kothavala’s letter mentioned: "This home has been privileged to be associated with you for the past few years during which period, the home has greatly benefited by your help in bringing large donations for the very existence, improving the infrastructure and services to the blind residents. And, your visits to meet the residents and the interest you have taken in the well-being and facilities provided to the residents is a reflection of your caring attitude for the blind and persons with disabilities. We, volunteers, staff and managing committee… sincerely consider you as a part of our family.”

Top: A view of the women’s wing of the NAB Lions Home in Lonavla and (above) at its inauguration by Lalé Sarbh, with donor Jimmy, and their children

Thanking Kothavala and his committee for the thoughtful letter "acknowledging my contributions and commitment” to the cause and for conferring the "prestigious status” on him as "Patron of the Home,” Sarbh pledged to continue his support while gratefully accepting their "kind gesture” on March 9, 2009. The Sarbh family are frequent visitors to the Home, the Captain informed Parsiana over the telephone. Each time they go there they make bulk purchases of items made by the inmates such as sweaters, floor dusters, car cleaning cloths. Once or twice a year the Sarbhs sponsor a non-vegetarian meal for the residents.

Noticing that there were no women in the Home, the Sarbh family sponsored a Ladies’ Wing which was inaugurated on July 9, 2005 by Lalé Sarbh, the Captain’s wife. Earlier there had been no facilities for blind women at the Home. An existing wing was repaired and reconstructed by Sarbh. Additional toilets were built and special amenities provided for the women. The entire structure was painted and spruced up. Structural repairs were undertaken to strengthen the 30 year old structure, including waterproofing against rising damp. The kitchen section was renovated at Sarbh’s cost.

When Parsiana enquired how many women are housed there now, Sarbh admitted that the response was "disheartening.” There are only two women inmates, the inhibiting factor being that it is essentially a home for the "aging blind” and many blind women who could use the facilities do not fulfill that stipulation. But choosing to dwell on the brighter side, the Captain explained that since the 50 male inmates were cramped in their section of the premises, some of them have been moved to the women’s wing.